PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT

The Planning and Development (P&D) Agency plays an important role in ensuring that County parks and trails are well planned, designed, constructed, and preserved; socially and culturally relevant; appropriately and equitably located in all neighborhoods; physically accessible; and safe and secure. Headed by Deputy Director Alina Bokde, the Agency consists of the Planning Division, Development Division, and Capital Projects Group which are staffed with planners, landscape architects, architects, project managers and other professionals.

In many ways, County Parks are the civic center and heart of Los Angeles County’s culturally diverse unincorporated communities. The Planning and Development Agency serves the needs of the community by developing policies and implementing projects that support park expansion and environmental stewardship of County lands and trails.

Through land acquisition, water and energy conservation, and cultural and historical preservation, the Planning and Development Agency addresses the County’s rapidly growing population and environmental concerns impacting the health and safety of our communities and natural areas.

As a means of increasing recreational opportunities, Senior social networks, and parks and open space, P&D also forms partnerships with schools and neighborhood groups through joint-use agreements and focuses on closing gaps in local and regional park service areas.

P&D continues to improve technologically, using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to track the physical and demographic characteristics of our unique parks system to aid in the completion of the regional trails network.

The Planning and Development Agency’s mission is to enrich the lives of the communities through planning, design and development of County Parks and inspire environmental stewardship for future generations.

DEVELOPMENT DIVISION

The Development Division is headed by Division Chief Jim Smith, and is comprised of three sections: Capital Projects Group; Water Energy and Sustainability Planning Section; and Landscape Architecture and Design Section.

PLANNING DIVISION

The Planning Division is managed by Division Chief Kathline King and addresses countywide parks and trails planning, environmental stewardship and park land management through three sections: Land Management & Compliance, Planning & CEQA and Trails Planning.

The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation has a long, proud history which has brought us to where we are today.

Prior to becoming the Department of Parks and Recreation, operations and facilities were managed by 1) the Parks Division, which was responsible for maintaining all physical aspects of parks under the Forester and Fire Warden’s Office, and 2) the Department of Recreation, Camps and Playgrounds which was responsible for administering all park programs.

On July 1, 1944, the Department of Parks and Recreation was created by ordinance and all functions were merged into this new Department. Since then, the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation has been meeting the recreational needs of residents and visitors from all over the world through programming, facilities, land acquisition and environmental stewardship and more!

Today, the Department owns 182 beautiful parks including natural areas, wildlife sanctuaries, lakes, trails, arboreta and botanic gardens and local, community and regional parks. The Department also operates the largest municipal golf system with 20 courses at 18 locations and owns great cultural venues including the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre and the world famous Hollywood Bowl.

Creative and innovative recreational programming offers something special for every member of the family and a number of special events are held annually for the enjoyment of the entire community.

The Department is committed to providing social, cultural and recreational opportunities for all to enjoy! The mission and goals of the Department are accomplished through unwavering support from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, County Chief Executive Office, partnerships with other County Departments, Friends Groups, Foundations, non-profit groups and other organizations and agencies and through a team of talented and dedicated employees and volunteers who understand completely how Parks Make Life Better!